Synopsis On 10May 1997, the Greek bulk carrier JEANNIE was sailing up the St.Lawrence River bound for Montreal, Quebec, with a cargo of manganese. While the vessel was in the approaches to Lotbinire, the steering gear failed. The vessel yawed to port and grounded on the south edge of the channel. There was no injury or pollution as a result of this occurrence, but the vessel sustained hull damage. The Board determined that the JEANNIE ran aground because a steering gear hydraulic hose failed and the crew of the vessel could not intervene and regain steering control before the two power units became inoperative. 1.0 Factual Information 1.1 Particulars of the Vessel 1.1.1 Description of the Vessel The JEANNIE is a conventional bulk carrier for general cargo. The vessel is strengthened for heavy cargoes, and the main deck is equipped with four cranes. The accommodation and machinery spaces are aft. 1.2 History of the Voyage On 10May 1997, the JEANNIE, on a voyage from Boulogne, France, was bound for Montreal, Quebec. The vessel, under the conduct of a pilot, was abeam of Lotbinire, Quebec, when the bridge watch realized that the rudder angle indicator was hard-a-port. They tried in vain to bring the vessel back on course by changing the steering gear mode from the steering position on the bridge. At approximately 2255, the JEANNIE grounded on the south edge of the channel in the approaches to buoy Q83, before the anchor could be let go or the main engine put astern.[3] After the grounding, the tanks were sounded and it was found that only the forepeak was holed. The vessel's pumps were unable to reduce the level of water in the tank below the waterline forward. On May 11, at approximately 0700, two tugs departed the Port of Qubec to assist the bulk carrier. At approximately 1010, as the tugs arrived on the scene, the vessel refloated herself on the rising tide. At 1043, the vessel advised the Quebec Marine Communications and Traffic Services that she had refloated and was anchored on the north side of the channel. The steering gear of the JEANNIE, manufactured by Donkin Co.Ltd., is of the articulated-cylinder type. The gear consists of two units, each including two double-action cylinders. Each unit is fitted with a constant-speed pump. These pumps are mounted on a single hydraulic fluid reservoir. A multiple-valve collector isolates either of the units for maintenance or emergency manual operation. 1.3 Injuries to Persons No one was injured as a result of this grounding. 1.4 Damage 1.4.1 Damage to the Vessel As a result of the grounding, the forepeak was holed and the hull plates and internal structure of the forepart sustained significant deformation. The repairs to the structure required nearly 43tons of steel. 1.4.2 Damage to the Steering Gear Inspection of the steering gear compartment revealed that a hydraulic system hose separated from the coupling and that the hydraulic fluid reservoir emptied onto the deck of the compartment. 1.5 Certification 1.5.1 Vessel The vessel met the certification requirements in accordance with existing regulations. 1.5.2 Personnel The crew held the appropriate certificates for their positions and for the service in which their vessel was employed. 1.6 Tide Information At the time of the grounding, the tide was rising, with 1hour 20minutes to high tide. The predicted height of the high tide was 3.4m. The next high tide was predicted for 1230, with a height of 3.8 m.